Greetings from a new Bongo owner as of today

[Fassi]

I think it needs a good looking at when you get home. It suggests there's been neglect at some point. The crud could be clogging main and car heater radiators and that in turn could explain inability to cool properly when engine working hard. Might be worth squeezing radiator top hose when system cold to see if it crunches or is hard. That would confirm crud in system. For now, try to avoid working engine too hard. Keep us posted.

Great thanks. I'll check the hose. Still got some driving to do around Austria then the drive home to Scotland. Was up some 2000m today in it but crawled up the mountain and the highest the temp went was 99. I've brought the trusty funnel with me just in case.

[mikeonb4c]

I think it needs a good looking at when you get home. It suggests there's been neglect at some point. The crud could be clogging main and car heater radiators and that in turn could explain inability to cool properly when engine working hard. Might be worth squeezing radiator top hose when system cold to see if it crunches or is hard. That would confirm crud in system. For now, try to avoid working engine too hard. Keep us posted.

Great thanks. I'll check the hose. Still got some driving to do around Austria then the drive home to Scotland. Was up some 2000m today in it but crawled up the mountain and the highest the temp went was 99. I've brought the trusty funnel with me just in case.

I think that, with luck, you'll be OK. If its coping with all that stuff it sounds like its doing OK (although did you say you'd removed the thermostat, as that would help things esp if it was a flaky/old one!).

[Fassi]

I think it needs a good looking at when you get home. It suggests there's been neglect at some point. The crud could be clogging main and car heater radiators and that in turn could explain inability to cool properly when engine working hard. Might be worth squeezing radiator top hose when system cold to see if it crunches or is hard. That would confirm crud in system. For now, try to avoid working engine too hard. Keep us posted.

Great thanks. I'll check the hose. Still got some driving to do around Austria then the drive home to Scotland. Was up some 2000m today in it but crawled up the mountain and the highest the temp went was 99. I've brought the trusty funnel with me just in case.

I think that, with luck, you'll be OK. If its coping with all that stuff it sounds like its doing OK (although did you say you'd removed the thermostat, as that would help things esp if it was a flaky/old one!).

Ah no. That was some other person posting. My stat is ok.

[Fassi]

Well the bongo has survived some 8000km so far across europe and back. All old problems fixed and a list as long as my arm to start on. Think I will need to move house soon and get a garage and a place to work on it instead of my tenement flat. Really could do with some sort of community garage space.

[cmm303]

Well the bongo has survived some 8000km so far across europe and back. All old problems fixed and a list as long as my arm to start on. Think I will need to move house soon and get a garage and a place to work on it instead of my tenement flat. Really could do with some sort of community garage space.

Just read this thread from start to finish. In two months your Bongo has gone from an abused neglected vehicle that might not make it 27 miles to the garage to a pan-European tourer. Brilliant story.

[Fassi]

Well the bongo has survived some 8000km so far across europe and back. All old problems fixed and a list as long as my arm to start on. Think I will need to move house soon and get a garage and a place to work on it instead of my tenement flat. Really could do with some sort of community garage space.

Just read this thread from start to finish. In two months your Bongo has gone from an abused neglected vehicle that might not make it 27 miles to the garage to a pan-European tourer. Brilliant story.

There was lots of other problems outside of this thread but the advice on here has kept me and the Bongo going. I don't even worry about the cooling anymore or the performance as both are brilliant. Now just need to attend to the starter motor, alternator, front drop links, squeaky brakes, the disguised rust, AFT roof inserts, AFT gas struts and whatever else appears.

Bongo daft now.

[mikeonb4c]

Well the bongo has survived some 8000km so far across europe and back. All old problems fixed and a list as long as my arm to start on. Think I will need to move house soon and get a garage and a place to work on it instead of my tenement flat. Really could do with some sort of community garage space.

Just read this thread from start to finish. In two months your Bongo has gone from an abused neglected vehicle that might not make it 27 miles to the garage to a pan-European tourer. Brilliant story.

There was lots of other problems outside of this thread but the advice on here has kept me and the Bongo going. I don't even worry about the cooling anymore or the performance as both are brilliant. Now just need to attend to the starter motor, alternator, front drop links, squeaky brakes, the disguised rust, AFT roof inserts, AFT gas struts and whatever else appears.

Bongo daft now.

They're worth it. Mine has given me a great interest and much satisfaction after I've got jobs done and the Bongo is improved in consequence And they are useful like no other car I've ever owned.

[Bob]

Starter can usually be sorted with a repair kit off Flea Bay for about twelve quid.

[wonkanoby]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MAZDA-BONGO-2 ... 1189wt_952

good as new after

[Fassi]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MAZDA-BONGO-2 ... 1189wt_952

good as new after

Starter can usually be sorted with a repair kit off Flea Bay for about twelve quid.

ordered, thanks

[cmm303]

AFT gas strut replacement: http://igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/view ... lit=+Strut

[Fassi]

AFT gas strut replacement: http://igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/view ... lit=+Strut

Cheers

[Fassi]

Starter can usually be sorted with a repair kit off Flea Bay for about twelve quid.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MAZDA-BONGO-2 ... 1189wt_952

good as new after

Is s symptom of the starter needing refurbed that I would turn the key and intermittently the bongo doesn't start? Just a click? I am confident it is not the battery or alternator. And a wee bit sure it isn't the starter relay as it seems to work all the time.

[Fassi]

List of jobs done so far.

top radiator hose replaced, new coolant, bled etc.
low coolant/temp alarm installed
air-con recharged.
new brake discs on back.
climate control transistor replaced.
no more squeaky brakes on front.
full service.
banjo filter cleaned
interior light fixed.
fridge adapted to run off leisure battery as well as EHU.
new battery
starter motor refurbished.
scavenger fan switch mod.
no more pulling to left (wheel alignment out)
new tyres all round.

running out of jobs.

Thanks to all those with advice and help since end of july.

Next job is the drop links on the front. Ordered the heavy duty ones from the club shop. Any advice or tips for doing these would be most appreciated.

Cheers

[mikeonb4c]

List of jobs done so far.

top radiator hose replaced, new coolant, bled etc.
low coolant/temp alarm installed
air-con recharged.
new brake discs on back.
climate control transistor replaced.
no more squeaky brakes on front.
full service.
banjo filter cleaned
interior light fixed.
fridge adapted to run off leisure battery as well as EHU.
new battery
starter motor refurbished.
scavenger fan switch mod.
no more pulling to left (wheel alignment out)
new tyres all round.

running out of jobs.

Thanks to all those with advice and help since end of july.

Next job is the drop links on the front. Ordered the heavy duty ones from the club shop. Any advice or tips for doing these would be most appreciated.

Cheers

I'm well impressed. Should make and excellent drive with all that done.